Fountain



A y 1939. E. G. TROWBRIDGE 2,167,055

FOUNTAIN Filed Oct. 11, 1937 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 awe/MM E.- GTRowbRmGE E. G. TROWBRIDGE FOUNTAIN Filed Oct. 11, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. G.TROWE RIDGE July 25, 1939.

Patented July 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention appertains to fountain structures, and more especially to improvements in illuminated fountains through means of which novel and highly pleasing ornamental or scenic effects may be attained.

In general, the fountain embodies a fountain head which is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of water, so that the Water may be directed outwardly from the head in the form of a substantially dome-like sheet, within which is preferably arranged suitable means for illuminating the fountain to enhance its attractiveness. In other words, my improvements reside partly in the special form of fountain head which I employ, and partly in the illuminating means used in combination therewith.

In carrying out my improvements, I have found that exceptionally attractive and highly pleasing results are obtained through the use of a rotary 2o fountain head which is of such design that the generally dome-shaped sheet of water produced thereby is caused to vary in configuration from time to time, thus avoiding the monotonous sameness which is generally characteristic of the 25 usual types of fountain.

By way of further improvement, it is an object of my invention to provide means by which the shape of the water may be changed and/or the illumination thereof varied to suit individual an taste, such changes being accomplished through relatively simple and quickly attainable adjustments. The change in the shape of the water sheet just referred to is intended as a change separate and distinct from that produced from 35 time to time by rotating the fountain head. Thus,

almost an unlimited or infinite number of variations in the shape of the water can be had, which, taken together with the changes of which the illuminating means is capable, affords an un- 40 usually wide range of variation of the fountain as a whole.

It is to be understood that although the illuminated feature of the fountain is a very desirable and attractive feature, it is not absolutely cs- 45 sential, since many novel and pleasing effects can be attained through the use of my improved fountain head without the illuminating means.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fountain structure of the character 50 mentioned above, which is compact in form and relatively inexpensive in cost of production and operation, which substantially contributes to the utility of the fountain, and makes it especially adaptable to private as well as public use. By

55 private use, I especially refer to lawns, yards,

gardens, etc., of private homes, as distinguished from public parks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary fountain head which is adapted to be driven by water pressure rather than by an ex- 5 traneous power medium which includes positively actuated mechanical instrumentalities, and which head is of generally tubular form and cornprises two sections, one of which is stationary, and the other of which is axially spaced from the 10 first and is rotatable relatively thereto. By suitable adjustment of the relatively rotatable tubular sections, the water is caused to periodically rise and fall within the rotating section as this section rotates, thereby producing a generally dome-shaped sheet of water which continuously varies in shape during each revolution of the rotating section of the head. When this fountain head is employed with the illuminating means previously referred to, it will be obvious that the continually changing shape of the water sheet results in a continually changing illuminating eifect which is separate and distinct from any change in the layout or arrangement of the illuminating means itself.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter described, and the novel features thereof defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a View, partly in vertical section and partly in elevation, of an illuminated fountain embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the fountain head, showing the upper rotary tubular section in one of its adjustable positions, such that it will have an eccentric rotation respecting the axis of the lower fixed tubular section;

Figure 31 is a fragmentary perspective View of the lower extremity of the rotary carrier which serves to support the rotary tubular section of the fountain head, and particularly illustrating the vanes by means of which rotation is imparted to the carrier and consequently to the head section;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the fixed vane 4 unit which is positioned near the lower end of the fountain head and serves to impart a rotary motion to the water as it enters the fountain head;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating the generally dome shape of the water sheet produced by the rotary fountain head at one stage of a revolution of the rotary head section wherein such rotary section is concentrically positioned respecting the fixed section; 59

Figure 6 is a view generally similar to Figure 5, illustrating the different shape of the water sheet produced by the fountain head when the rotary head section assumes a different position in its rotation, with the rotary head section in an eccentric position; and

Figure '7 illustrates the rotary fountain head section adjusted so that its axis is inclined from the vertical, and the corresponding shape of the water sheet produced thereby at one stage of the rotation of the rotary section.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Particularly referring to Figure 1, I designates a basin or tank forming a pond or pool for receiving the water as it is discharged from the fountain head, generally designated 2, located substantially centrally of the pond or pool. As shown in the drawings, the basin or tank I is constructed of concrete, but it is to be understood that a metal or other type of basin may be substituted therefor if desired, in which latter case, the entire fountain construction may be preassembled into more or less unitary form prior to installation, if preferred. Disposed at one side of the pond, and preferably housedwithin a chamber or compartment 3, is a pump 4 having its intake 5 arranged to withdraw water from the pond or pool through a screen or filter 6. The outlet 1 of the pump is connected through means of a conduit 8 to the bottom of the fountain head 2 which is provided at its lower extremity with a threaded coupling 9 or other suitable connection. l0 designates an over-fiow pipe or outlet conduit, the upper extremity of which is disposed slightly below the upper edge of the basin 1 so that the water in the pond will not exceed a predetermined level. The lower end of the overflow pipe or conduit I0 is connected to a waste line H leading to a suitable point of discharge, such as a sewer or the like, and if desired, a drain pipe i2, connected at one end to the waste pipe H and communicating with the interior of the pump compartment 3 at its other end, may be provided to drain water which may seep into the compartment 3 or otherwise gain access to the compartment, as for example through pump leakage.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the use of a pump such as described above, since the fountain head 2 may, if preferred, be directly connected with a suitable water supply, such as the usual domestic or city water system. However, for the sake of economy, the water is preferably recirculated through the fountain, in which case the pump may be availed of to withdraw the water from the pond or pool, and force it through the fountain head at the desired pressure and rate of flow. Following discharge from the fountain head, the water is collected in the pond or pool so as to become available for recirculation, 7

Fixedly mounted on the central vertical section 8' of the water supply line, I provide a plate or base I3, which constitutes a support for the illuminating means such as the electric lamps [4. This plate I3 is preferably composed of metal, and is circular in form, or it may have any other suitable shape according to the desired arrangement of the V lamps [4.

preferably slightly greater than the maximum lateral spread of the sheet of water produced by the fountain head, so that the sheet of water will fall principally onto the plate near the marginal edge of the latter when the fountain head is adjusted to the maximum lateral spread of the water. The outer edge of the plate I3 is preferably curved downwardly, as at I 6, so that the water which is deposited on the plate can freely run off and fall into the pond or pool.

A plurality of openings I1 is provided in the plate for the reception of lamp sockets l8, which may be of standard construction or otherwise, as desired, the sockets being suitably secured to the plate. Through the provision of a plurality of lamp sockets i8, the lamps may be arranged to provide a distinctive pattern or design, which pattern or design may be changed from time to time by a rearrangement of the lamps. In order to make the design more pronounced, I preferably employ a plurality of hollow shells 20, having reflecting surfaces provided interiorly thereof, which shells may be positioned over the lamps II in such manner that the light rays will be reflected and principally confined in an upward direction. The details of the illuminating instrumentalities generally referred to in the foregoing are more fully disclosed in and form the subject matter of my copending application Serial No. 217,569, filed July 5 1938, which is a division of this application. The lamps l4 may be arranged in one or more circuits suitably connected to a source of electrical energy. As shown in Figure 1, 21 designates a cable which leads from the source of elec trical energy (not shown) to the lamp and pump motor circuits. According to the arrangement illustrated, the lamps are arranged in two separate circuits, each of which is independently controlled by the respective switches 28 and 29. .30 designates a switch for controlling the pump motor 3|, which is operatively connected with the pump 4 to drive the latter. The circuit arrangement may be varied as desired, and the typical arrangement which is shown in Figure 1 will be readily understood without requiring further description of the same. Obviously, by suitably actuating the switches 28 and 29, the illumination afforded by the lamps may be varied somewhat without any variation of the arrangement of the lamps themselves. On the other hand, further variations of the illumination may be effected by rearranging the lamps in the various sockets provided on the base plate l3, with or without varying the arrangement of the hollow shells 26. The lamp sockets are preferably all connected in one or the other lamp circuits controlled by the switches 28 and 29, so that no changes in the circuit wiring are required to modify the illuminating effect.

Passing now to the construction of the fountain head, generally designated 2, it-has been previously pointed out that this head is of special construction. As best seen in Figure 2, I provide a tubular section 32 of substantial length which is mounted in the upper extremity of the coupling 9, preferably by means of a snug friction fit. This tubular section 32 is held stationary, and extends vertically above the pond or pool for a distance of several feet. The length and diameter of the tube 32 will largely depend upon the available water pressure and the rate of flow of the water through the supply line 8. In the avtion 40 is rotated relatively slowly. The speed.

the base plate 13in order to maintain the water which is discharged from the fountain head in the form of a continuous or unbroken thin sheet. I have found such an arrangement to be preferred, owing to the fact that it affords the best and most attractive results when associated with the illuminating means previously described.

Fixedly mounted in a vertical position within the stationary tubular section 32, is a rod or stem 33. Screws 34 and 35, extending through the coupling 9, upon which the tubular section 32 is mounted, and having their inner extremities engaged with suitable recesses or depressions formed in the periphery of the lower end of the rod or stem 33, serve to adjustably secure the stem 33 in its fixed vertical position. The screws 34 and 35 are arranged in pairs, one pair being disposed above the other pair and arranged at right angles thereto so as to firmly brace the stem. The stem 33 extends upwardly through the tubular section 32 to a point substantially above the upper extremity thereof, and is provided at its upper end with a hemispherical recess 33 in which a ball bearing 37 is seated.

Loosely mounted on the stem or rod 33 is a tubular sleeve 38, having an axially adjustable set screw 39 threadedly received in its upper extremity. The lower end of the set screw 39 bears upon the ball bearing 31, thus serving to per- :mit the sleeve 38 to be freely rotated about the stem 33. Mounted upon the upper extremity of the rotatable sleeve 38 is a relatively short tubular section 40 of substantially the same size as the tubular section 32. The tube 40 is prefer- :ably adjustably secured to the sleeve by means of the diametrically opposed screws 4| which extend through the tube and have their inner extremities engaged in suitable recesses or apertures in the sleeve 38 near the upper end thereof. Only a single pair of screws 4! are employed to mount the tubular section 43 on the rotatable sleeve 33, for reasons which will hereinafter become more apparent. Fixed to the lower extremity of the rotatable sleeve 38, at diametrically opposite points, there is provided a pair of fins or vanes 42, which preferably extend somewhat below the lower extremity of the sleeve 38. These fins or vanes 42 are mounted edgewise on the sleeve 38 so as to project outwardly therefrom substantially radially, and they lie wholly within the stationary tubular section 32, with their outer edges substantially spaced from the inner surface of the tube 32. The purpose of these fins or vanes 42 is to impart rotation to the sleeve 38 and consequently to the tubular section 40 responsive to the flow of water through the section 32.

Mounted within the tubular section 32, below the vanes 42, is an insert, generally designated 43, the construction of which will be best understood from reference to Figure 4. This insert is composed of a cylindrical collar or sleeve 44, having a relatively close friction fit within the lower end of the tubular section 32, so that it will be held stationary when inserted into the lower end of this tubular section 32. Extending upwardly from the collar 44 is a plurality of inclined vanes 45, which are so arranged as to impart a rotary motion to the water as it enters the bottom of the fountain head. By reason of the rotation imparted to the water by means of the fixed vanes 45, rotation is imparted to the vanes 42 mounted on the sleeve 38, thereby resulting in rotation of the tubular section 40 relatively to the tubular section 32. The inclination of the vanes 45 is preferably such that the tubular secof rotation may be varied by bending the. vanes 45 more or less with respect to their vertical axis, or by substituting other inserts having corresponding vanes of different degrees of inclination.

In the use of the fountain head just described, the rotatable tubular section 49 is adjusted by means of the screw 39 to cause the lower extremity of the section 43 to be axially spaced above the upper extremity of the fixed tubular section 32, as indicated in Figure 2 at 4B. The size of this space will largely depend upon the rate of flow and the pressure of the water which is directed into the fountain head. Obviously, by screwing the screw 39 downwardly Within the upper end of the sleeve 38, the size of the space 46 between the lower end of the tube 43 and the upper end of the tube 32 will be increased. On the other hand, by unscrewing the screw 39 upwardly, the space 43 may be decreased. The space 46 is preferably so adjusted as to cause the water to pass laterally outwardly therethrough as it flows upwardly through the stationary tubular section 32, and fall downwardly onto the base plate l3 or into the pool, as the case may be, in the form of an unbroken sheet, as previously referred to. When the space 43 is properly adjusted, the water will not rise above the upper end of the tubular section 43, although it may rise to a more or less degree in the tubular section 43 until the head of water in this section 40 substantially balances the pressure at the outlet space 46.

To attain a variation in the shape of the water sheet produced by the fountain head as the rotary tubular section 40 revolves slowly about the stem or rod 33 as an axis, either the stem 33 may be adjusted through suitable manipulation of the screws 34 and 35 to position the stem in an offcenter position relatively to the stationary tubular section 32, or the screws 4! may be adjusted to position the rotatable tubular section 40 in an off-center position relatively to the upper end of the sleeve 38, upon which it is mounted. If desired, combinations of both adjustments may be resorted to, so that virtually an unlimited or infinite number of variations in the adjustment may be attained. Assuming that the adjustment has been effected so that the tubular section 40 is caused to rotate eccentrioally relatively to the stationary tubular section 32, and that at a given instant the parts have assumed the relationship shown in Figures 1 and 2, then the form of the water sheet produced by the fountain head will be substantially that shown in Figure 1, wherein it is illustrated as having a generally dome-like shape of somewhat irregular configuration. In other words, the crest 47 of the water sheet is substantially higher at one side of the fountain head than is the crest 48 at the opposite side. As the rotatable section 43 continues to rotate, the condition illustrated in Figure 5 will be reached. This condition represented in Figure 5 occurs at the instant the tubular section 40 assumes a position concentric with the section 32. At this instant, the water sheet will be substantially uniform in shape. Figure 6 represents the condition assumed at still another stage of the rotation of the tubular section 40. Under this condition, the form of the water sheet is substantially reversed from that shown in Figure 1, with the crest 48 substantially higher than the crest 41. As the rotation of the tubular section 40 is continuous, the water will rise and fall in this section according to the degree of over-hang of the lower edge of the section 40 relatively to the upper edge of the section 32 at different instants. The rise of the water within the tubular section 40 will be greatest when the tubular section 40 is concentric with the section 32. However, when the section 40 overhangs the section 32, the water in the section 40. will rapidly dump through the overhanging space, thereby lowering the crest of the water at this overhanging side of the head, whereas the crest of the water will rise at the opposite side, due to the fact that the upper edge of the section 32 at this opposite side is uncovered by the section 40, thereby permitting the water to escape more freely in an upward direction than is the case at the side where the section 40 overhangs the section 32.

Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a still further adjustment of the rotary tubular section 40, wherein the axis of this section is inclined relatively to the vertical axis of the section 32, such adjustment being effected through manipulation of the screws M in an obvious manner. This adjustment may or may not be combined with an eccentric adjustment of the stationary stem or rod 33. The results afforded by such an adjustment as illustrated in Figure 7 are substantially the same as previously described, excepting that the shape of'the sheet of water produced by the fountain head will be somewhat different at various stages of the rotation of the rotatable section 40.

By removing the insert 43, the fountain head may be used to produce a continuously uniform or irregular sheet of water, according to the initial adjustment and setting of the tubular section 40 relatively to the stationary section 32. In such a case, the section 40 will remain stationary.

From the foregoing, it will be readily understood that my fountain head is capable of producing a wide range of attractive and pleasing ornamental or scenic effects, with or without the use of the illuminating means hereinbefore described. However, when the fountain head is 7 combined with the illuminating means, the beauty of the effect is substantially increased, this by reason of the fact that the illuminating lamps M, which may be of different colors if preferred, cause the sheet of water to glow or flare in a much morespectacular manner than in the case of illuminated fountains of the so-called spray or mist type. When the fountain head is conditioned to cause the tubular section 40 to rotate in such manner than the dome-like sheet of water which varies in form from instant to instant as the section 40 revolves, the effect of the illumination is still further enhanced by reason of the fact that the reflection of the lights on the water will vary from instant to instant, thus creating a scintillating or flckering action which has no equal in its beauty appeal.

While the specific details have been herein shown and described, the invention is not confined thereto, as changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A fountain head of the class described, comprising an elongated axially-open tubular member adapted to be fixedly mounted in a substantially vertical position to direct the water received thereby in an upward direction therethrough, and a second axially-open tubular member of substantially the same size disposed above the first and form of a dome-like thin continuous sheet, said.

second tubular member being of such length as to create a head of water therein which will substantially balance the pressure at the passage aforesaid and prevent discharge of the water at the upper end of the second tubular member.

2. A fountain head of the class described, com-. prising an elongated axially-open tubular member adapted to be fixedly mounted in a substantially vertical position to direct the water received thereby in an upward direction therethrough, and a second axially-open tubular member of substantially the same size rotatably mounted above the first and arranged in axially spaced relation thereto so as to afford a space therebetween constituting a passage through which the water is adapted to be discharged laterally and downwardly in the form of a dome-like thin continuous sheet, said second tubular member being'of such length that no water will be discharged from the upper end thereof, and means for imparting rotation to said upper tubular member.

3. A fountain head of the class described, comprising an elongated axially-open tubular member adapted to be fixedly mounted in a substantially vertical position to direct the Water received thereby in an upward direction therethrough, and a second axially-open tubular member rotatably mounted above the first and arranged in axially spaced relation thereto so as to afford a laterally open space therebetween constituting a passage through which the water is adapted to be discharged laterally and downwardly in the form of a dome-like thin continucus sheet, said second tubular member being of such length that no water will be discharged from the upper end thereof, and means for imparting rotation to said upper tubular member responsive to the fiow of water through said,

fixed lower tubular member.

4. A fountain head of the class described, comprising an elongated axially-open tubular member adapted to be fixedly mounted in a substantially vertical position to direct the water received thereby upwardly therethrough, a fixed stem extending axially upwardly through the tubular member aforesaid and projecting substantially above the upper end of the latter, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said stem, a second tubular member fixedly mounted on said sleeve and disposed above the first mentioned tubular member in axially spaced relation. thereto to form a space therebetween constituting a passage through which the water is adapted to be discharged laterally and downwardly in the form of a dome-like thin continuous sheet, and means for imparting rotation to said sleeve and consequently to said upper tubular member, said second tubular member being of such length as to establish a head of water above the passage aforesaid in opposition to the pressure below the passage, whereby to cause the discharge to be substantially confined to the passage.

' 5. A fountain head of. the class described, comprising an elongated axially-open tubular member adapted to be fixedly mounted in a substantially vertical position to direct the water received thereby upwardly therethrough, a fixed stem extending axially upwardly through the tubular member aforesaid and projecting substantially above the upper end of the latter, a

sleeve rotatably mounted on said stem, a second tubular member fixedly mounted on said sleeve and disposed above the first mentioned tubular member in axially spaced relation thereto to form a space therebetween constituting a passage through which the water is adapted to be discharged laterally and downwardly in the form of a dome-like thin continuous sheet, and means for imparting rotation to said sleeve and consequently to said upper tubular member, said last named means including an inclined vane fixedly mounted within the lower end of said lower tubular member, whereby to impart a rotary motion to the water as it passes upwardly through the lower tubular member, and a radially disposed vane mounted on the rotatable sleeve aforesaid so as to be acted upon by the rotary motion of the water and thereby cause rotation of the sleeve and upper tubular member.

6. A fountain head of the class described, comprising an elongated axially-open tubular member adapted to be fixedly mounted in a substantially vertical position to direct the water received thereby in an upward direction therethrough, and a second axially-open tubular member disposed above the first and arranged in axially spaced relation thereto so as to afford a laterally open space therebetween constituting a passage through which the water is adapted to be discharged laterally and downwardly in the form of a dome-like thin continuous sheet, said second tubular member being of such length that no water will be discharged from the upper end thereof, and means for adjusting the axial spacing of the upper tubular member relatively to the lower tubular member.

'7. A fountain head of the class describeld, comprising an elongated axially-open tubular member adapted to be fixedly mounted in a substantially vertical position to direct the water received thereby upwardly therethrough, a fixed stem extending axially upwardly through the tubular member aforesaid and projecting substantially above the upper end of the latter, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said stem and including a screw disposed at the upper end of said sleeve and adjustable in an axial direction relatively thereto, with its lower extremity supporting the weight of the sleeve upon the upper extremity of said stem, a second tubular member fixedly mounted on said sleeve and disposed eccentrically above the first mentioned tubular member in axially spaced relation thereto to form a space therebetween constituting a passage through which the water is adapted to be discharged laterally and downwardly in the form of a dome-like thin continuous sheet, and means for imparting rotation to said sleeve and consequently to said upper tubular member.

8. A fountain head of the class described, comprising an elongated axially-open tubular member adapted to be fixedly mounted in a substantially vertical position to direct the water received thereby upwardly therethrough, a fixed stem extending axially upwardly through the tubular member aforesaid and projecting substantially above the upper end of the latter, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said stem, a screw received in the upper end of said sleeve and adjustable in an axial direction relatively thereto, with its lower extremity supporting the weight of the sleeve ball-bearing interposed between the lower end of said screw and the upper end of said stem, a second tubular member fixedly mounted on said sleeve and disposed above the first mentioned tubular member in axially spaced relation thereto to form a space therebetween constituting a passage through which the water is adapted to be discharged laterally and downwardly in the form of a dome-like thin continuous sheet, and means for imparting rotation to said sleeve and consequently to said upper tubular member.

9. A fountain head of the class described, comprising an elongated axially-open tubular member adapted to be fixedly mounted in a substantially vertical position to direct the water received thereby upwardly therethrough, a stem extending axially upwardly through the tubular member aforesaid and projecting substantially above the upper end of the latter, means for adjustably securing said stem in fixed eccentric position, and permitting lateral adjustment thereof relative to the central axis of the tubular member, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said stem, a second tubular member fixedly mounted on said sleeve and disposed above the first mentioned tubular member in axially spaced relation thereto to form a space therebetween constituting a passage through which the water is adapted to be discharged laterally and downwardly in the form of a domelike thin continuous sheet, and means for imparting rotation to said sleeve and consequently to said upper tubular member.

10. A fountain head of the class described, comprising an elongated axially-open tubular member adapted to be fixedly mounted in a substantially vertical position todirect the water received thereby upwardly therethrough, a fixed stem extending axially upwardly through the tubular member aforesaid and projecting substantially above the upper end of the latter, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said stem, a second tubular member adjustably mounted on said sleeve so as to permit lateral adjustment thereof relative to the axis of said sleeve and stem, said second tubular member being axially spaced above the lower fixed tubular member to form a space therebetween constituting a passage through which the water is adapted to be discharged laterally and downwardly in the form of a domelike thin continuous sheet, and means for imparting rotation to said sleeve and consequently to said upper tubular member.

11. A fountain head of the class described, comprising an elongated axially-open tubular member adapted to be fixedly mounted in a substantially vertical position to direct the water received thereby upwardly therethrough, a second tubular member mounted above the first mentioned tubular member in axially spaced relation thereto to form a space therebetween through which the water is adapted to be discharged laterally and downwardly in the form of a dome-like continuous sheet, and means for causing the water to periodically rise and fall in the upper tubular member whereby to vary the form of the domelike water sheet.

EDWIN G. 'I'ROWBRIDGE. 

